Academy Director & U16 Head Coach – CT United Academy

Position Overview

CT United Academy is seeking a proven leader to serve as Academy Director & U16 Head Coach. This unique role combines strategic oversight of the entire academy with direct coaching responsibility for the U16 team. The Academy Director will provide vision, leadership, and alignment across all levels of the program, ensuring that training, development, and player pathways reflect the club’s mission, philosophy, and playing identity. The successful candidate will be both a builder and mentor—shaping the environment, guiding staff, and fostering the growth of players both on and off the field.

Key Responsibilities

Academy Director Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in aligning all academy programs, staff, and player development with CT United Academy's mission, philosophy, and playing identity.
• Oversee the holistic development of players across age groups, focusing on technical, tactical, physical, and personal growth.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage academy coaching staff to ensure professional standards and consistency across age groups.
• Collaborate closely with the Sporting Director and first-team staff to ensure a clear player pathway from academy to professional levels.
• Engage with players' families to ensure transparency and a positive developmental environment.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, schools, and clubs to enhance the academy's reputation and reach.
• Establish and enforce recruitment and talent identification strategies, ensuring the academy attracts, selects, and retains high-potential players from diverse backgrounds.
  
  

U16 Head Coach Responsibilities

• Plan, deliver, and review all training sessions in alignment with the academy's curriculum and playing identity.
• Lead the U16 team in competitions, ensuring player development is prioritized alongside competitive performance.
• Develop and execute structured, age-appropriate training sessions aligned with MLS NEXT standards.
• Foster a high-performance culture, ensuring an environment of discipline, respect, and professionalism.
• Utilize video analysis and data to enhance player performance and development.
• Communicate regularly with players, parents, and staff regarding progress, expectations, and development plans.
• Identify and recruit top talent in alignment with the club's scouting and recruitment strategies.
• Provide individualized feedback and development plans to support each player's growth.
• Collaborate with academy staff to ensure smooth player movement between age groups and progression along the pathway.
• Track and report on player development using the academy's evaluation tools and systems.
• Represent CT United Academy professionally in all MLS NEXT events, tournaments, and showcases.
  
  

Qualifications

• USSF/CSA A license or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership in academy or club management.
• Strong understanding of long-term player development principles.
• Experience in developing and managing high-performance environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical staff and players.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with players, staff, and families.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and balance administrative and coaching responsibilities.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
• Familiarity with MLS NEXT rules, competition structures, and best practices.
• Proven expertise in talent identification and recruitment, with a track record of recognizing and securing top-level prospects.
• Proficiency in video analysis and performance tracking tools is a plus.
  
  

Personal Attributes

• Visionary leader who can inspire players and staff.
• Organized and detail-oriented while remaining adaptable.
• Strong problem-solver with a growth mindset.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and travel for matches and scouting.
• Commitment to continuous education and professional development.
• Passion for developing young athletes and fostering a positive learning environment.
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.